US Military Options for Greenland Acquisition Raise International Concerns

Thu Jan 08 2026 15:00:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The White House reveals discussions about military options in acquiring Greenland, prompting strong responses from European leaders and local officials.

In a surprising diplomatic move, the White House has disclosed that President Trump is exploring various options to acquire Greenland, including potential military involvement. This revelation coincided with heightened concerns from European allies, specifically Denmark, regarding the implications of such actions. Leaders from several European nations reaffirmed the sovereignty of Greenland, emphasizing the need for respectful dialogue and collaboration rather than military force.

US President Donald Trump has been discussing a range of options to acquire Greenland, including use of the military, the White House said.

The White House told the BBC that acquiring Greenland - a semi-autonomous region of fellow NATO member Denmark – was a national security priority.

The statement came hours after European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark, which has been pushing back against Trump's ambitions for the Arctic island.

Trump reiterated over the weekend that the US needed Greenland for security reasons, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to warn that any attack by the US would spell the end of NATO.

The White House said on Tuesday: The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal.

The NATO alliance expects its members to aid one another in case of external attacks, emphasizing collective security.

Six European allies expressed support for Denmark in a joint statement, emphasizing that Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.

These leaders, including officials from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, advocated for upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called for respectful dialogue, asserting that the territory's status is rooted in international law.

The issue of Greenland's future has resurfaced amid growing military tensions and interests from Russia and China in the Arctic region. With melting ice revealing untapped resources, the geopolitical stakes are rising.

Past comments from Trump suggest his interest in acquiring Greenland has been viewed as a real estate opportunity, though local sentiments reveal overwhelming opposition to such an annexation.

The prospect of military action has caused anxiety among Greenlanders, with one resident expressing fear over potential US interventions.